GETTING IT DONE—HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR WRITING GOALS
Do you feel like it’s taking you forever to write your book? Do you plan on writing and then get sidetracked by a million things? Here are some strategies to implement to get it done.
Contact me to get on the waitlist for my next writers’ retreat, if you want the space and support to focus on your writing.
If you’re writing a book for your business this guide will help too.
Write it on your calendar.
Schedule time each day to write. Then set page goals for the next two weeks. (Don’t worry, you can clean it up later.) Put this schedule somewhere prominent in your house and check off the days. Share it with the people you live with. Keep an encouraging no-nonsense friend updated on your progress.
Plan rewards.
This doesn’t have to be a bootcamp. Decide how often you want to give yourself a treat. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Maybe you take a day to go on a hike every time you complete a chapter. Watch an episode of carpool karaoke after each break in the text, or buy a book or new pair of shoes when you’re halfway. Dangle yourself a carrot. Carrots are delicious.
Make distractions forbidden.
I know this one is hard. It’s so easy to get lost down the rabbit hole especially with a computer right at your fingertips. Do what you have to do—turn off the internet. Power down your phone. Put a sign on your door saying you are not to be disturbed.
Write in public.
When we’re post pandemic, head to a coffee shop, library, or shared workspace. I have a writer friend whose favorite place to write is under his writing tree in Central Park. He’s the most prolific writer I know. Some friends like to meet up to work side by side and then chat and grab a coffee when they’re done.
Put on headphones.
You can get some pretty great noise cancelling ones and listen to Spotify playlists specifically for focusing. This works wonders for some people. One benefit to wearing headphones with or without music is that people are less likely to strike up conversation with you.
Track your writing time.
Use a free time tracker like Toggl Track to keep yourself honest. It’s easy to tell yourself you worked on your book every day this week, when really you produced two paragraphs and got sucked into the black hole of email, Instagram, and adding to your Netflix list.
Schedule your beta reader, sensitivity reader, or editor in advance.
When you’re nearing the home stretch you can put something on your schedule that will hold you accountable. You won’t want to lose your deposit or time slot, so you will have to hustle.
Plan a working vacation.
While it can sometimes be hard to swing it, this is one of my favorites. Go somewhere on your own with no goal other than writing. (OK, maybe a little exercise too.) I’ve probably never written as efficiently as when a friend loaned me a little attic room in Belize, with nothing but a desk in it, for two weeks. And I recently went camping alone and edited, distraction free, from my tent and picnic table for three days. So satisfying.
I hope these tips are useful for you. Happy writing!
If you’re writing a book for your business, you’ll want this 9 Step Guide to Writing a Bestselling Book for Your Business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reaching Your Writing Goals
Why do I keep planning to write but never actually doing it? Usually it comes down to two things: writing time isn't protected on your calendar, and there's no real accountability structure in place. Intentions don't become habits without structure. Scheduling specific writing sessions, sharing your goals with someone, and tracking your actual output (not just your intentions) makes a significant difference.
How much time do I actually need to set aside to write a book? Less than you think, if you're consistent. Short focused sessions of 45 to 60 minutes several times a week add up faster than sporadic marathon sessions. The key is protecting that time the same way you'd protect a client appointment.
How do I deal with distractions when I sit down to write? Be aggressive about eliminating them before you start. Turn off your internet connection, silence your phone, and let the people around you know you're unavailable. Noise-canceling headphones are genuinely useful, both for blocking sound and for signaling to others that you're in work mode. Some writers also find that a change of location, like a coffee shop or library, helps their brain shift into writing gear.
Does it help to write somewhere other than my home office? For a lot of writers, yes. A coffee shop, library, or co-working space creates a context your brain starts to associate with focused work. Even a solo working vacation, if you can swing it, can produce an surprising amount of progress in a short time with zero distractions.
How do I stay motivated when writing a book feels like it's taking forever? Build in rewards along the way rather than saving the celebration for the finish line. Completing a chapter, hitting a word count milestone, or finishing a difficult section all deserve acknowledgment. Small intentional rewards keep momentum going far better than willpower alone.
Is it helpful to hire an editor or beta reader before I'm finished writing? Actually scheduling them before you're done is a smart accountability move. When you have a real deposit paid and a real date on the calendar, you'll find the motivation to finish. A deadline with financial stakes attached is surprisingly effective.
How do I know if I'm actually making progress or just fooling myself? Track your time and your output separately. A free tool like Toggl Track shows you how much time you're actually spending on your book versus how much you think you are. Pair that with a simple word or page count goal for each session and you'll have a clear picture of real progress.
